All Sin Is Disgusting

In my post about St. Anthony wet house, the homeless shelter which allows clients to drink, several commenters reminded us that alcoholism is an especially disgusting, shameful sin—a selfish one, one which destroys lives and displays in the sinner a brutish, willful resistance against grace.

I got the same reaction to an interview I did with a homosexual Catholic man: Most commenters were gracious, but a few were openly revolted at the very subject, and said they couldn’t stand to hear any more about this perverse and unnatural condition.

They’re all right, of course. What kind of man would choose alcohol over family, work, and even his own health? What kind of man is willing to admit that, at the very core of who he is, there is something profoundly distasteful and unnatural?

What I am going to say next is going to sound like false humility, but here goes: What kind of person would do these things? A person like every other person in the world, except for two. A person exactly like you and me—not with some passing, analogous resemblance, when squinted at through a pious lens—but exactly like you and me. Because all sin is disgusting. All of it.

When I think about an alcoholic, I am astonished that someone would choose so much sin and ugliness over everything that is good in the world. But I do this every single day. Every single hour of every single day. I’ve been going to confession for 30 years, and I confess the same damn things every single time. If that’s not an addiction, I don’t know what is. It’s simply my good fortune that the sins I am addicted to aren’t very public, or very far-reaching. When I sin, I don’t get arrested for it, or lose my children because of it, or ruin my organs, or lose my chance at having a normal marriage. I’m lucky, and very grateful, that my sins don’t affect very many people.

Or do they? If you want a truly Lenten experience, then pray earnestly that the Holy Spirit will reveal to you the damage that your sins have done. And then hold onto your butts, because it’s going to be a horrible ride. Don’t forget to pray for hope and healing at the same time, nothing hurts more than looking your own guilt in the face.

“Well,” you may say, “Sure, I’m addicted to my sins, and I’m sure that even the venial sins I commit do hurt people in ways that I don’t fully realize. But if my sins were public, or illegal, or had obvious, catastrophic consequences, then surely I would be more motivated to give them up! These alcoholics, these public sinners are still worse than I am, because they don’t change their lives even when the consequences are so obviously terrible!”

All right. But if my sins are so small in comparison—shouldn’t that make them easier to give up? I’m not responsible for changing the pattern of sin in my life because they are minor and easy to change—does that make any sense? Face it: We are all addicts. We are all spiritual criminals. We are all monsters of selfishness. Our sins are disgusting—all of them, mortal, venial, thought, word, and deed. Venial sin isn’t trivial or separate from mortal sin: It is what makes mortal sin possible, bearing it up and supporting it like a rotten ship on an ocean of sewage. We belong to a Communion of Sinners, and every little sin contributes to the whole hellish chorus of protest against God.

The passion and death of our Lord wasn’t mostly for the alcoholics and the gays and the drug addicts, and then a little bit for the venial crowd, like you and me. He died for my sins. He would have died for my sins only, because they are that bad.

Don’t be fooled by the false hierarchy of sins that we learn from the law, or even the false hierarchy of guilt that human consequences seem to reveal. Some people are worse than others, and some sins are worse than others. But at the last judgment, we will see clearly that all of us are so far—so very, very far away from what God wants—that the distinctions we make between this sin and that sin will seem almost meaningless.

Comments

That is totally Un-scriptural and offensive. What’s the point of the cross then if His blood doesn’t free us from our sins like the bible says it does? It says we are free in Christ and His blood cleanses us of all our sins.

@Robert on Friday, Sep 20, 2013 9:24 PM (EDT):
“Luke 17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!”

Whats the point of this verse? I think you are taking it out of context.

Posted by Robert on Friday, Sep 20, 2013 8:24 PM (EST):

Luke 17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

Posted by Jerome, OFM on Monday, Aug 13, 2012 8:40 PM (EST):

The more I look at my own life and the more I hear confessions, the more I am convinced of the deep truth in what you write. One of the things about St Francis that attracted me to Franciscan life is that he understood how awesome is God’s love AND also how far we fall short.

Posted by Jeff on Tuesday, Jan 3, 2012 12:22 AM (EST):

The flesh cannot understand God and that which is spiritual. I Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. We being born of flesh must be made spiritual. It is written, flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Now how can we know we are not flesh but made spiritual? I John 3:4-6 who soever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5. And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. 6. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him. Sin separates us from God so don’t think you can live in sin and be a follower of God. Isaiah 59:2 but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.
Romans 8:7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. This is because the law is spiritual, so the flesh cannot understand or know it. Romans 7:14. For we know the law is spiritual: This why the flesh cannot or won’t obey God’s Commandments, Laws, or Statues or they might even change them to their own desires and needs. So let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: Isaiah 55:7

Posted by Max on Sunday, May 1, 2011 7:40 AM (EST):

If men sodomizing other men and boys is not sinful and disgusting, then there is no such thing as sin, and nothing could ever be called disgusting.

Posted by Chris on Sunday, May 1, 2011 4:01 AM (EST):

Wow. This is a bunch of homophobic nonsense. It disappoints me that people are so willing to disguise their discrimination towards other lifestyles that they don’t understand by defending them with a few carefully chosen verses from the bible.

Posted by JANET CARDIN on Sunday, Apr 24, 2011 9:22 PM (EST):

Your article gave me a headache. What great wisdom you have! As we all know, sin is defined as a verbal (wine-body) or behavior (bread-body) that is destructive to our relationship with Jesus (ALL SIN). Such that destroys or diminishes the faith of another, are the worse. Of lesser sins are those that have no negative effect on faith, but destroy the respect and trust in humanity. INCLUDED IN THIS, OF WHICH I AM THE MOST GUILTY, IS FALLING ASLEEP TO THE SPIRITUAL NEED OF OTHERS AND NOT VERBALIZING THE LOVE OF JESUS AS NEEDED TO OTHERS, INCLUDING OUR ENEMIES.

Posted by Max on Saturday, Apr 23, 2011 6:25 AM (EST):

Just to be clear:
1. There was no correction of anything in my posts on your part. You simply put forth your personal opinions.
2. You have steadfastly refused to actually apply your (again rather childish) invectives to any particular point, in any particular posting. Why you have chosen to play this little game is another question which I suspect you will again refuse to answer.
3. To wit: “Twisted Scriptures” being the latest. So the ‘nasty, unloving people are twisting Scripture and making of certain Catholics into Lepers.’
If that is the case, you have deliberately chosen to not actually point out anywhere among these postings where this has occurred, which rather reduces your accusations to little more than unbecoming emotional outbursts.

Posted by Athol on Saturday, Apr 23, 2011 3:08 AM (EST):

Just for the benefit of those reading this in case they get the wrong impression. I adhere 100 percent to the statements made about homosexuality in the Catechism of the Catholic church. A study of the posts between Max and I shows one how certain people twist and misinterpret what others are saying. Firstly I made a statement about the bad practice of turning certain Catholic sinners into the new lepers. Max came thundering about Sodomy. when I corrected him- he ignored my correction and thundered on about something else. Then when I said I didn’t want to play his game he twists that into saying that I have invented a few games to play. Reread and judge for yourself and beware of these kind of internet trolls who seem to have more in common with the tactics of Satan as he twisted Scriptures rather than Truth as proclaimed lovingly by Our Lord. I notice in my reading of Scripture that Jesus responded with kindness to sinners but rebuked quite strongly the religiously rigid. As for me I intend to go on loving the poor, the broken and the sinners as best I can with the love of Jesus as he loves me as a poor, broken sinner in return.

Posted by Max on Friday, Apr 22, 2011 5:19 PM (EST):

Since today is the day we remember that people would rather do anything than actually stand face to face in front of truth, I am not in the least surprised that you’ve invented quite a few games to play.

The facts are that the teaching of the Church is that homosexual acts are one of the 4 great sins that cry to Heaven for vengeance, and almost 90% of all cases of rape and molestation by clergy was committed by those who habitually experience romantic and sexual desire for other men and boys. You can label these truths with as many childish invectives as you wish, but you cannot deny them.

Posted by Athol on Friday, Apr 22, 2011 3:35 PM (EST):

Max I’d rather sit on a bull ants nest than play your game.

Posted by Max on Friday, Apr 22, 2011 2:48 PM (EST):

If any particular comment of mine is not true, then point out which, and the error.
If truth is “nasty and unloving”, explain how.

Posted by Athol on Friday, Apr 22, 2011 1:09 PM (EST):

LOL I’ll try mate. When I see these nasty and unloving comments about others it helps me reflect about my own lack of love and forgiveness to others and how precious and fragile each person is and how our comments can lift them up or caste them further into the darkness of despair. Some times the strong word or action is necessary if done with love or to protect others but more often a listening heart and a hand of affection is what is more appropriate for people who are struggling in certain areas of their lives.

Posted by Simcha's Husband on Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 4:56 PM (EST):

Athol, quit making sense.

Posted by Max on Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 4:30 PM (EST):

To insinuate that I somewhere ‘illustrated’ whatever point you seem intent on pretending you made, is simply dishonest, and a little childish. Are you also attempting to insinuate that when the Holy Father states that those who suffer from homosexual orientation disorder cannot become priests, that he is also somehow “illustrating” your point?

There are many different types of appetitive disorders: pederasty, homosexuality, pedophilia, beastiality, and so on, and as far as I know, there isn’t any conclusive research that any of them can be cured. In any case, the level of promiscuity among those who make the choice to engage in homosexual conduct witnesses to how very great an evil it is, which in itself poses a great pastoral challenge.

Posted by Athol on Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 4:01 PM (EST):

thanks max for ilustrating my point so quickly. Many of those who have a homosexual inclination have never even committed an act of sodomy. many homosexual men don’t even like or enjoy such acts. MANY HETEROSEXUAL MEN do commit acts of sodomy on their wives and girlfriends.

Posted by Max on Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 3:13 PM (EST):

It is important not to forget that in the Tradition of the Church men sodomizing each other is one of the 4 great sins that “Cry out to God for vengeance.” Thus the Church believes and teaches, and always has, that some sins, and the evil inherent in committing them, are worse than others.

The Church has stated repeatedly that those who suffer from homosexual orientation disorder cannot be ordained. Many Bishops (homosexuals themselves) ignored this, which caused the pederasty scandal in the Church, where 80-90% of all cases of abuse was against boys. As one commentary put it, it is sodomites that cause sodomy, not Catholicism or celibacy.

To put it another way, if, for the last 50 years, the Church had only ordained men who would have married a woman and started a family were it not for their Calling, then 80-90% of the cases of abuse would not have happened.

Posted by Athol on Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 2:17 PM (EST):

Loved this one Simcha. I recently ‘discovered’ a famous Hebrew Catholic Marc Andre Raffalovich who had been a homosexual and wrote about a Catholic theology of Homosexuality in the 19th century and wrote about it on my blog. Rather tired and disgusted with those Catholics who want to make certain types of Catholic sinners into the new lepers.

Posted by capitalcee on Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 10:36 AM (EST):

@Tiffany, I totally agree.

@Bailey, You added some excellent points.

Posted by Tod on Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 8:53 PM (EST):

Very good article, though I would question the phrase “false hierarchy of sins” without further clarification by its author. Both the Catechism and Scripture state there are sins unto death, so the “hierarchy” is not a false one, at least in that respect.

Posted by thereserita on Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 9:31 AM (EST):

John, You’re correct, theologically there is a big difference between mortal & venial sin. One of the big differences that you fail to mention is how subtley venial sin can pave the way to hell for any individual. Don’t take my word for it. The Gospels are full of examples but, since today is Spy Wednesday, Judas might suffice or maybe the parable of Lazarus & Dives. Jesus never says in that parable that Dives does anything aggressive toward Lazarus but he ends up in hell just the same.
I understand your point re: grace through confession is all that’s needed to help us live a daily life united to Christ. Simcha’s point, I believe, is to reiterate that “all have sinned & fallen short of the glory of God.” There’s a story that St Ignatius Loyola tells on himself: One day while praying, he lost patience with the noise some of his brothers in the house were making that distracted & he yelled at them. He was so convicted of this “venial” sin that he spent 3 days doing penance for it. The point is that the saints know what we don’t: God looks at the heart, not at the technical category of our sin. Ignatius’ culpability for the loss of temper was much greater than that of, say,most high school kids for the same sin.
Simcha, I’m right there behind you in the line for confession!

Posted by Colet on Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 8:39 AM (EST):

Cripies! I almost forgot it was Lent! Good thing I have you bookmarked.

Posted by John on Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 7:12 AM (EST):

This is an excellent post, and the point is important as a way to look at our very real guilt. So I don’t think I contradict Simcha by adding some nuance on a related point:

The distinction between mortal sin and venial sin is actually *very* big.

I’m talking about actual concrete sins committed, not about whether or not the matter is grave (or about distinctions between different types of grave matter). An actual mortal sin committed (grave matter, committed with full knowledge, deliberation, and consent of the will) is by definition a turning away from God as one’s end. This aspect is not present in venial sin, which is what makes it a different thing—a difference of kind, not merely of degree. For anyone familiar with the philosophical concept of “analogy” (in the sense in which St. Thomas Aquinas used it): mortal sin and venial sin are similar by analogy. Ultimately, it means that a venial sin is like a mortal sin in certain ways, but is fundamentally also very different.

Why is this distinction important? Because there’s a big difference between turning away from God as one’s end and not doing so. This is not about self-congratulation; it’s about acknowledging what the grace of God does in our lives. By the grace of God, we can habitually keep God as our end and avoid choosing mortal sin. By the grace of God, we can return to God as our end, normally through the sacrament of reconciliation/penance. Without that grace, we cannot.

@jeni - Ah, I think I see comments now that could be considered “nitpicking.” Though I suppose that’s a bit subjective. :) I’ve been told that reading the comments to *any* online article is a waste of time, so we all can improve in that way. :)

@jeni - I haven’t seen any nitpickers. Most of the comments I’ve read have been helpful in my understanding of others. They have only added to what I have gotten out of this article. Plus, most commenters, even if they added their own thoughts and experiences, seemed to acknowledge that it was a great article. Instead of criticizing commenters who are on the path to understanding - and potentially bringing others further along with them - perhaps you would do well taking your own advice.

Posted by jeni on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 11:03 PM (EST):

@mouse—no poking a badger with a spoon BUT I have lied and said I was on the moon… with Steve. also I staged a hoax of the moon landing with buzz ;)

@Simcha—beautiful article as always!

@nitpickers—Stop nitpicking the piece and find something more useful—go help or encourage someone instead, would ya?

Posted by Marian on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 10:31 PM (EST):

When I was younger, I thought the exact same thing that this lady thought. I was very judgmental of a woman who became an alcoholic for a long time. I thought myself so great and how in the world could this lady just sit around all day, watching TV and drinking? I had however lived a very sheltered life for a long time. Life has shown me, however, that I was very naive. Fortunately, it turns out that the woman, though old, eventually got a job and, to the best of my knowledge, has stopped drinking. The more we are given (mentally, physically, spiritually), the more that is expected of us. The worse sinner is the one who is given the most in terms of mental health but squanders it, not the one who fights to get through every day and occasionally turns to alcohol to leave the house. But there is a big stigma against the mentally ill these days ... which, for them, is okay - their reward will be great in Heaven, most likely, for how much they suffer on earth. Only God can judge and see what is inside each individual’s heart.

Posted by CradleCatholic on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 10:08 PM (EST):

AMEN, Simcha. Amen.

Posted by Bailey on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 9:36 PM (EST):

Alcohol can cause seizures and death if stopped too abruptly - it is truly physically dependency-forming, and for those who are biologically more predisposed, dependency or addiction can occur almost immediately. I would venture that most alcoholics don’t “choose” to be alcoholics at all.

Many turn to it due to mental illness, anxiety not experienced by most people, or a feeling of loneliness; I don’t know who would say “to ruin someone else’s life and be ugly and sinful” as their reason for becoming addicted. It’s a form of escapism, except a more dangerous form (which the person may not know at the time) and I think most of us are guilty of some form of escapism that may eat up a lot of our time.

This is a great article, though, and I definitely agree that we shouldn’t place ourselves on some pedestal of being holier-than-anyone.

Posted by Catholic on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 9:35 PM (EST):

Great article Simcha - thank you.

Posted by Catholic on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 9:26 PM (EST):

Here is a reflection of Our Lord’s Scourging at the Pillar - during this Holiest of Weeks. God Bless All and Happy Easter.

“How often do we wonder what God’s love is? What it should feel like? What does it mean when we hear that God loves each of us more than we can ever imagine?

Reflect if you will upon Our Lord immediately after His Scourging. Left unattended for a few scant seconds or minutes sitting disoriented at the base of the pillar after being beaten so severely for a long period.

Imagine if you will that each of us is allowed to witness this spiritually in horror and feel the sadness. It’s all we can think about to bow down on our knees in homage before Him, there are no words. Our heads face down on the ground in front of Him, with our arms also extended on the ground at His Feet.

He is exhausted, battered, beaten, bleeding, naked, probably can’t even see straight because of The Blood Loss now at His Feet. Unimaginable Pain, Thirst and Lonliness. While kneeling in front of Him in homage, I try to sneak a peek up to see how He is doing.

Suddenly, He slowly lifts up His Shaking Head, recognizes me, and knows all the terrible ugliness of the mortal and venial sins on my soul. My head immediately bolts back to the ground in terrible shame and fear.

In His terrible agony, His eyes become rejuvenated and He desperately tries to reach out to Bless me. His goal only to touch my head gently, to welcome and thank me for simply being there, for my small gesture.

In spite of the terrible pain He has suffered and will continue to suffer, nothing is more important to Him in this moment than to reach out with love. To one of His lost sheep that hasn’t even been born yet.

He does not make it far when He is roughly pulled up and led to the crowning. He turns back as He is being roughly escorted away and looks at me. His look is one of being completely horrified and filled with Sorrow and Love that He has to leave. The physical torture that will occur over and over to Him in the next few hours seems of little concern compared to His Sorrow and Anxiety for having to leave one soul unattended at that moment…

This same Love - for each of us who have ever lived.

Jesus is the Perfect Savior, across the ages. Someone we would never deserve to be in the same universe with, let along within a few feet. Who shows more lob-sided Compassion for us than we ever could for Him. He has always been about welcoming souls back to Himself, no matter what; there is nothing else more important to Him, even faced with the Cross. That’s the way it was 2000 years ago and the way it is now. We can always find our way back to Him in the Mystery of His Passion, even if we never knew Him or tried to get to know Him before.

All we need to do is show up in prayer, the Mass, Devotions, and/or the Sacraments and just try to focus on Him - to believe in Him. Just give Him a few minutes, and He will do the rest. No matter His Pain, He is always vigilant and ready to reach out to us, to our dying breath, and His.”

Posted by Sarah on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 8:39 PM (EST):

I too, find myself confessing the same few sins over and over. I think some temperaments are more prone to some sins over some others. I think most people have sins they struggle with more than others. I really appreciated this post as well.

Thank you!

Posted by A on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 8:29 PM (EST):

Tiffany, that comment was awesome. I was thinking the same: we ALL have habitual sins. Otherwise we would only need to confess once for each. I’d love a catalogue of the new and unique sins generated each day. Be quite entertaining that.

Posted by abby schult on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 7:11 PM (EST):

I am an alcoholic and a drug addict and a faithful Catholic, sober 30 years in AA by the grace of God one day at a time. Thank you for your Lenten reflection.

Posted by Sydney Ruth on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 7:05 PM (EST):

Beautiful article, Simcha! Thank you for the bracing look-at-the-log-in-your-own-eye reminder, so especially appropriate for Holy Week.

Posted by Mouse on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 6:27 PM (EST):

And no one has referenced “poking a badger with a spoon” yet in the category of unique sins?

Posted by Margaret Mary Myers on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 6:25 PM (EST):

Great article! Thank you for sharing. I read some, but not all, of the comments…and as someone who has family members who have suffered from alcoholism, I was appalled by the comments that you mentioned had triggered your post. Jesus said, “Judge not, lest you be judged”. We can, and sometimes must, judge sins. But…we hate the sin but LOVE the sinner. How dare we look at the sins of others and judge the people who commit them? Whether it’s someone who is an alcoholic or someone who commits habitual venial sins, as you said, we are all sinners. A recent gospel was about Jesus saving the woman caught in adultery, by saying “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone” as he wrote in the sand (some say he was writing sins in the sand). God have mercy on us. And thankfully, He will because He is much more loving than we can ever imagine.

Posted by Kate on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 6:18 PM (EST):

@Tiffany:
“we should keep our eyes on our own work and do our best work - not just better than someone else’s work” - YES! great summary of a great article.
As always, thanks for writing, Simcha! I’m printing this piece to read and re-read this week.

Posted by Tiffany on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 3:16 PM (EST):

I think the point of disregarding a heirarchy is because on Judgement Day, God is not going to line us up in order of worst to “best” sinners and then take the top half to Heaven and send the bottom half to Hell. I’m pretty sure we’ll each stand alone. My tiny little sins may be enough to buy me a one-way ticket to hell; someone else’s gigantic sins may be pardoned by a merciful God. Both of those scenarios may not play out but I don’t KNOW that for sure! The point is that we should keep our eyes on our own work and do our best work - not just better than someone else’s work.

Posted by Momofthree on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 2:54 PM (EST):

Well, I see what you are saying, that we better not get on our high horse about ourselves because we are all depraved sinners, but I don’t know about you, but I do think there is a hierarchy of sins. You don’t even have to include torture and murder. How is my sloth even comparable to the really appalling sins like those that Father Haley tried to expose? Read this if you have the fortitude: http://www.dailycatholic.org/issue/2003Feb/febfor1.htm,
And then the even greater sins of the Church hierarchy trying to cover it all up? I’m sorry, but I think our ability to discern is essential.

Posted by Tiffany on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 2:33 PM (EST):

Your habitual sins bother some people? Perhaps they are coming up with new and unique sins each and every day so they never have a repeat? So, I’m guessing the snooty comments they’ve left on your blog were the first and last of those type they’re ever going to post.

Posted by Max on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 1:54 PM (EST):

To Annie,

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding homosexuality:

-homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.
- [homosexuality orientation itself] is objectively disordered.
-They are contrary to the natural law.
-They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity.
-Under no circumstances can they be approved.

Nowhere does the Church or the Catechism teach that God “made then that way”. It is important to remember that homosexual orientation disorder is no more, as the media would have you believe, the other side of the coin (if you will) of heterosexuality than is any other appetitive sexual disorder, including pederasty, pedophilia, necrophilia, beastiality, and so forth. Science simply does not know for certain what causes disordered sexual orientation. There is quite a bit of research, but it is often contradictory, and for whatever reason, according to the research, theories for the cause of male homosexuality don’t seem to be applicable to female homosexuality and visa versa.

Posted by capitalcee on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 1:08 PM (EST):

Very insightful! Love it!

Posted by Sarah Webber on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 1:05 PM (EST):

Thank you for your post, my dear. I have been struggling this last week with the “I’m doing all these good things so I must not be a sinner” attitude, which is totally wrong. It is by God’s grace I am forgiven and it is also by his grace that I am able to bless others.

Posted by Calah on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 1:00 PM (EST):

Oh, Simcha, thank you. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this article. You always know just what to say, don’t you?

Seriously, this is the best thing I’ve read on sin in a long time. You are wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. And, for the record, I think you’re very brave to confess habitual sins here, where the combox tends to get self-righteous pretty quickly (case in point: above). Want some solidarity? I have habitual sins too. Same ones, over and over. And unlike in the days of my addiction, these are in some ways more insidious, because often I just avert my eyes from them and pretend they’re not they’re because, after all, they’re not mortal sins.

You’re great. Thanks for the column, for being honest, and for pointing out that perhaps we should all take a good look at our own souls.

Posted by Pam on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 12:59 PM (EST):

She shoots, she scores!

Thanks, Simcha, esp. for reminding us to pray for hope when we also pray for knowledge of our sins. Very important.

Posted by Amy on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 12:19 PM (EST):

God has given me so much grace—including devout parents who set a holy example for me and taught me the faith—yet I sin. If my sins aren’t objectively “grave”, it is no reflection on me; for the amount of grace and mercy I’ve been given, I should not be sinning at all! To the alcoholic, the homosexual, the drug addict, I say, “There, but for the grace of God, perhaps would I go!” Thank you, Simcha, for another spot-on blog. You’ve once again established yourself as my all-time favorite blogger, always telling me what I need to hear, and in a very entertaining and winsome way. Glory to you, Lord, for gracing your servant Simcha with such a wonderful gift!

Posted by Dejah on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 12:00 PM (EST):

I always enjoy reading your posts, Simcha. This one reminded me of Fr. Emmerich Vogt, O.P, who has done many talks about how anyone can use the Twelve Steps of A.A to overcome their disordered attachments to sin. It applies not only to alcoholics, but people like me who are control freaks, or doormats (also me), addicted to sex or addicted to pleasing people. His talk on Detaching with Love has especially helped me come to a greater self-knowledge and healing as I come to face myself and all my imperfections. For anyone interested, I highly recommend “Detaching with Love,” “Life of Prayer” and “Spirituality of the Twelve Steps.” http://www.12-step-review.org/about/index.html

Posted by Dan on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 11:48 AM (EST):

Just wanted to give you a little more insight on alcoholism. This sin producing disease is without a cure, there is no HUMAN treatment. The progression of the disease passes choosing to drink to needing to drink, losing free will as it were. The only treatment is a connection to God. This path is only taken by the grace of GOD. It’s a gift from GOD and very few receive it. When this disease and its sinful consequences beat the alcoholic up enough, there may be a moment of clarity and willingness to change, both are graces from GOD.
Homosexuality is similar as it is a mental defect, where one can recognize its wrong, but can choose to act on those desires. These thoughts can be suppressed and even nearly eliminated by the grace of GOD, our divine physician Jesus Christ.

Posted by Jenn on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 11:45 AM (EST):

Some of the “sins” you speak of are not choices. I hope you also pray the God opens your mind and helps stop being so judgmental.

Posted by Steve on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 11:37 AM (EST):

I feel like most Catholics in church have to hold on to their butts for different reasons than that mentioned in this article.

Posted by timmy baugh on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 11:18 AM (EST):

o my God, I am heartily sorry I have offended thee, I detest my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but mostly because they offend thee my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to SIN NO MORE.

Posted by Smoochagator on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 11:05 AM (EST):

Thank you, Simcha. Thank you so much. The “I may be a sinner, but I’m not as bad as THAT sinner” attitude is so insidious and damaging, because we don’t realize how judgemental we are as we cross the street and duck our heads to avoid the Really Bad People we encounter. Goodness knows I needed a reminder that yes, I am just as bad as THAT sinner.

Posted by Jeanne G. on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 11:04 AM (EST):

Simcha, you hit the nail on the head. Thanks for reminding us to love sinners, while we hate the sinful actions that they AND WE commit.

Posted by Sandijk on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 11:03 AM (EST):

Wow! I needed that! Thanks!

Posted by patti rodriguez on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 10:36 AM (EST):

sounds like the 2 sinners on the hill where the tax collector poured out his heart, and the other said I am sure glad I am not him.I like most am a judging person, then remind myself only Jesus can judge righteously, for he knows all circumstances. All we can do is pray for ourselves and others often.

Posted by Simcha Fisher on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 10:31 AM (EST):

@Rene G Benoit: You said “It bothers me that you are addicted to some sins !”

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Well, it bothers me, too. This is why I confess them regularly. I find that to be more useful than telling myself, “Come on, now, BE HOLY.”

Posted by Simcha Fisher on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 10:25 AM (EST):

@Annie - yes, you’re quite right, and I was unclear about that. I used the homosexual guy as an example because people did write to object about even having to speak about homosexuality, even though the guy in question was living a chaste life. You are right: there is no sin, and a huge burden, involved in being a homosexual who lives chastely.

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@dennis - I agree with you that it’s extremely important to hear both sides: plenty about our sinfulness, but even more about God’s mercy. I think it’s a mistake to look for all of these things in a single work, especially in a short piece like a blog post! I very often get letters of protest saying, “Why didn’t you mention this or that thing, which is so true and important??” and my answer is, “Buddy, I only had 800 words.” Essays that try to cover everything quickly become pointless and unreadable.

/

This is why we have such a wide array of different kinds of saints: some emphasize one aspect of Christian life, and some emphasize another, and we are supposed to take what we need. The same is true for the liturgical year—there are seasons for joy, seasons of waiting, seasons for penance, etc. I think that, during Holy Week, it’s quite appropriate to focus fairly severely on our sins, but I hope I manage to vary my message at other times of the year!

Posted by Rene G Benoit on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 10:20 AM (EST):

Simcha

It bothers me that you are addicted to some sins !
This should not be for as He who called you is Holy, you also should be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16). We are to reflect God in us.
And shame to those who keep the habitual sin… For God is great and always willing to help us who want to avoid the constant sin , Amen

Posted by dennis on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 10:19 AM (EST):

Annie, you are correct in distinguishing between a homosexual tendency and a homosexual act. Such a tendency is a perversion of God’s plan for sexuality, but we all have perversions of different types and degrees because of original sin. For me, the question is two-fold: 1) do we act on those perversions, therefore making them acts of sin; and 2) are we trying, through the grace of God, to overcome those perversions in order to “gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.” This last part in quotes if from the Catechism, paragraph 2359, where the Church calls homosexual persons to a life of chastity and hopefully an eventual perfection of their desires. At the same time, it applies to all of us because we are all called to live a life of chastity and strive towards that perfection.

Posted by FILIUSDEXTRIS on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 10:19 AM (EST):

Can I ask for random article re-post next Lent? Myself, I will try to read this a couple more times this week.

Posted by dennis on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 10:10 AM (EST):

I enjoyed the article, Simcha, and have a question for you. I feel people need the wake-up call (like your article) that we are all sinners and our sins are terrible. When I talk to people about that, though, I also try to balance it with the good aspects, with our being made in the image of God. I do this because I do not want people to fall into despair, but then I think that perhaps it may also lessen the impact of the message about the severity of our sins. Each person may be different, so different methods may be called for, but what is your opinion? Should an article (or discussion) such as yours also try to point out the holiness in people, or do you believe that takes away from the power of the message about sin? I know I’m asking you to generalize, which can be a dangerous thing, but just wanted your opinion.

Posted by Annie on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 10:07 AM (EST):

I like this article very much ... except for one thing. I believe that the Catechism has informed us of how we are to think about homosexuality (I’m speaking here as a state of being, not sexual acts), and we are not to think of it as a sinful act but as a way that God has made people which we cannot understand, and to which we must give utmost tenderness and understanding because it is so difficult to have been made such a way. Right? I could swear it’s right there in the Catechism.

Posted by Nick on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 10:00 AM (EST):

A Pharisee walked into a bar.
The barkeep said, “Watch where you’re going!”
The Pharisee replied, “Sorry, I have a speck in my eye.”
We are all Pharisees if we do not adhere to Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:1-5.

Posted by Marie on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 9:54 AM (EST):

Very true, great article Simcha!

Posted by KH on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 9:51 AM (EST):

Awesome article. Your writing has a way of cutting through all the B.S. from all sides and getting at the truth.

Posted by Teddy on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 9:44 AM (EST):

NO ONE is free of sin. Yes, some sins are greater than others and can effect other poeple.

I feel if more poeple did go to confession, the world would be a better place. Reason being? The person can just admit their wrongs and have them obsolved by a priest, and they can go on with there lives—and not have it impact others.

For Example—Someone like (One Day At A Time-TV Star) Mackenzie Phillips: Did the world really need to know that she had a concentual sexual relationship with her father AND go on all these TV shows to share it with the world? Do all these homosexuals need to always be shoving their sexual preference down our throats?

A problem I feel is that poeple that may be engaging in gay sex acts or drug addiction, etc. Should keep it to themselves sometimes. Go to confession and seek spritual counseling or professional therapy. Seems like the problems of today, especially in America is that poeple seem to feed on others “letting all hang out”, have no shame and peoeple just feed on the shock value.

Yes, some topics should be giving to the public about healthy and unhealthy practices, but we certainly don’t need to know in detail what poeple are doing…

And this “If it’s OK, it feels good to ME,ME,ME” additude is nothing but selfishness. And deep down inside, the poeple who are trying to live he way they want to and put blame on churches for this and that and avoid going to the church is becuase—They have guilt of what they are doing.
If only poeple that had kids out of welock, live with thier lovers without getting married, drink themselves to sleep, etc. Would just ‘fess up at confession and be honest with themselves that these are sins, maybe the world would be in a better position. These are things that the church needs to present to the poeple and, hopefully, more would come back to the church and try to adapt their lifestyles.

Should we as Catholics sit there and continually gossip or judge poeple? No, for that is a sin….Do we have our opinions about how to behave under our faith? Yes. All we can do is “Love the sinner, Hate the sin.”

Posted by Rachel on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 9:42 AM (EST):

Arrgggh! Isn’t it awful when you get hit with the ugly truth and that truth is that you are capable of being ugly? For Lent I am reading “The Imitation of Christ”, stupid, stupid idea :-)

Posted by Maureen on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 9:28 AM (EST):

Thank you for this.

Posted by Janine on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 9:27 AM (EST):

So very, very true.

Posted by Robert on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 9:23 AM (EST):

Simcha, you are totally right. I am convinced of the ugliness and horror of my sins, and I have a hard time forgetting how much harm and damage they have done: to myself, to my loved ones, even to people I hardly know, but there is especially the knowledge that every mortal sin I’ve committed is an mortal wound to Jesus. Every venial sin is a slap in his face, a thorn in his brow, or a spit, or a curse.

Archbishop Sheen reported that once in confession, the priest asked him if he thought he’d committed a mortal or a venial sin. Sheen replied that he didn’t care. Like a husband who loves his wife, it didn’t matter whether he punched her or stabbed her with a knife, he didn’t want to hurt her at all.

He said: “I just don’t want to hurt the Lord.”

There is something lacking in our love when we start categorizing our sins, almost to give ourselves permission by saying: “This is only a venial sin,” or, “At least I didn’t commit murder,” or whatever.

Posted by Theresa on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 9:21 AM (EST):

Thank you for saying this, Simcha! I had read your post about the Wet-House and felt ashamed at some of the comments left, but didn’t know what to add since I have never personally experienced alcoholism among my family and friends, praise God! But as you point out, there are other dirty, ugly sins that I HAVE experienced and I know that in His eyes, it is all equally hurtful.

Sometimes, when I do start to feel all pious and holier-than-thou, God reminds me of the overwhelming abundance of mercy that He has poured out on me alone, of the forgiveness and compassion shown to me, of how small and unworthy I am. I’ve screwed up plenty, maybe even more times than the person I’m so harshly judging, and He wants me to remember that if He doesn’t hold it against them, then neither can I.

Posted by The Ranter on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 9:20 AM (EST):

Great article! Something that was smacked in my face yesterday was the fact that sin makes ya stupid.

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